Do not let the idea of making major changes to your home overwhelm you. Knowing where to start and what changes to make can be terribly difficult. Read the article below for tips to help you live a greener life inside your own walls.
Reduce the price of heating water in pools, hot tubs and inside your home by using solar-powered heating systems. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun’s rays by way of solar panels. Certain upgrades, though expensive, qualify for specific tax deductions.
Keep your windows shaded when trying to conserve energy. Adding some window coverings can also help. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. You will save both money and energy in the process.
The government has set up several incentive programs to help consumers switch to renewable energy sources. Speak with the government in your area about these programs. It may be possible for you to get wind or solar installation for free, or you may be able to get a deductions on your taxes.
When it’s hot outside, wear clothing made of natural materials rather than running the air conditioner. Fabrics, such as cotton, draw moisture naturally from the skin, making it cooler. Wear light colors because these will make you warmer and it will be less likely for you to use artificial cold air.
Check whether your furnace filters need to be replaced each month. Make sure that you actually replace these filters at least once each year. Also, put filters on vents that dispense warm air. This can prevent anything from getting caught in the ducts.
Be a smarter energy consumer by unplugging your electronic device chargers when they are not in use. Cell phone and mp3 chargers draw energy even if they aren’t charging anything.
Cover your windows if you’re not going to be home. Your house will stay cool and you won’t use as much energy this way. More often than not, south-facing windows will let in the most sun due to their positioning. Therefore, it is especially important to use heavy window coverings on these windows.
If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. Some current systems can use forms of biodiesel without the need for modifications. Biodiesel can assist you in cutting your environmental impact when it is cold, because it burns more efficiently and cleaner than petroleum.
Check what other energy sources are available in your neighborhood. Investigate costs for using those utilities, and be aware of any legislation about energy costs. It may be beneficial to switch from electric heat to natural gas heat, or from city water to well water, for example.
Keep drapes drawn when you are not home. These help your home remain cool and keep your energy bill down when you are not there. Generally, the south-facing windows get the most sun because of their position. Use coverings on each of your home’s windows, such as roman shades, dark curtains, or roller shades.
If you aren’t using an appliance, turn it off. When you leave a room, take the time to turn off lights, the tv or the computer. When you can, plug your electronics into a power strip and when you are not using it, turn it off. Energy is still being used when something is in standby mode.
One thing you might consider is heating your water with solar water heaters. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. However, it’s best to keep a traditional heater for times when you need a lot of heated water, or if the sun does not come out.
When thinking about home solar systems, think about how much energy will be produced during winter. When you do this, you understand how much you should be consuming on a daily basis during winter, and you won’t become surprised one day. An even better benefit is that you can sell your energy back to the grid in the sunniest of times!
Use solar energy to provide hot water cheaply. You can go shopping for a solar system that will heat your water. Your choices include an indirect or direct circulation system. If you have been plagued by frozen or broken pipes in the past, an indirect one could be for you.
Keep your home better insulated and control warm and cool air better by installing storm windows and doors. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that tries to get in. You can increase the energy efficiency in your house by up to 45 percent with stormed windows and doors.
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. These kinds of doors and windows reduces the amount of cold air that comes into the home. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn’t need pricey solar panel cells to store power. In order to use active power, you will need to install a few things, including solar cells, mechanical systems, and most importantly, solar panels. Passive is just used via the sun for storing the thermal energy in the walls of your home to heat it.
If you want to live greener and have a greener home, avoid running electric heaters during the winter. Instead, invest in some warm clothing and slippers for family members and use a fireplace or pellet stove to heat living areas. It is better to sleep in cooler air, it helps you breathe, and keeps your airways moist.
Use a laptop for your computing needs rather than a power hungry desktop. This can cut up to 75% of your electrical use, especially if you are frequently on the Internet or using word processing software. In addition, the laptop is portable and be used anywhere in the house.
Make use of energy-efficient products to save both money and energy. Ecologically friendly windows and doors can minimize the energy you need to operate your home efficiently. With these products, cooling and heating costs are decreased.
There are countless things you can do it you want to live a environmentally friendly lifestyle. For example, cleaning your furnace filters every month and turning down the heat when you aren’t at home will greatly increase the efficiency of your furnace. Reduce your water heater to 120 degrees, this can save you a lot of money. Anything you can do will help!
Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer. You can save a ton of electricity by using a laptop. Both the Internet and most word processing software packages use a lot of energy on desktop computers, so getting a laptop can really save money if you use these features. The other benefit to using laptop over a desktop is that it is portable, so it can be taken anywhere!
Share rides with others in your neighborhood to greatly reduce your fuel usage. Ask other parents in the neighborhood if they are interested in carpooling for their children and trade days with them. You can even carpool to the supermarket with your neighbors.
Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. Use gadgets like the Watt Minder and the Kill-A-Watt so that you can discover what uses the most energy. Plug the appliance into the device, and it can tell you the amount of energy it uses within an hour, month, or even a year. This will show you the cost of your appliance.
An on-demand water heater is a very effective energy saver. Traditional water heaters heat water all day long, even when hot water is not needed; this wastes energy. The on-demand water heaters will instantly heat the water when it is needed, and save you a bundle in energy cost as well.
Replace your traditional holiday lights with strings of LED’s. According to one study done by the DOE, the United States could save more than 2 billion hours of power, simply by having everyone make this change. The Energy Department showed that more than two billion kh of power could be saved if everyone made the switch. That amount of power could run 200,000 homes for one full year. At least you will be saving money on your power bill.
If you can afford it, you should consider installing new, energy star rated windows. Not only will you reduce your energy bills, you will enjoy a much quieter home. You will also have a lot less condensation, resulting in less mold growth and water damage.
Although this may seem like common sense, many people still keep the lights, appliances and electronics on when they are not using them. By doing this on a daily basis, a person’s energy bill can be greatly reduced. Think about what you do before you do it, and turn off those lights and appliances when they are not in use.
Look for appliances that have the Energy Star sticker or logo. The guidelines that ENERGY STAR appliances must meet are set by the U.S. Department of Energy as well as the EPA. Additionally, they are generally more likely to have a tax rebate.
Energy Star
By weatherizing your home, you can improve its energy efficiency. You can reduce the energy usage of your home by installing energy efficient doors and windows, sealing ducts, replacing faulty heat and air conditioners and adding insulation to your home. Also, with these changes, your monthly energy bill will be significantly reduced!
Any appliances that have this guarantee will most likely have an Energy Star logo branded on them somewhere. If the appliance has an ENERGY STAR, it means it meets guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA. These products are also often the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
It is a good idea to check the seal of your fridge and freezer frequently to avoid wasting energy. Broken seals let the cold or hot air escape from your oven and fridge, wasting that energy and costing you money. A good seal test involves placing a piece of paper in the door of the fridge or freezer and see how easily it slides out.
Set your home’s thermostat to 60 degrees if you are sleeping or leaving the house for several hours at a time. 60 degrees uses the smallest amount of possible energy. As stated, lowering your thermostat will minimize the energy needed to heat your home.
Avoid buying bottled water. Bottled water is rarely anything more than tap water, takes a great deal of energy to process and creates a ton of waste. Instead of buying bottled water, use a refillable bottle and a filter.
Save money on heating and cooling costs with a digital programmable thermostat. You can pre-program the settings, so you can have a temperature that is constant. They can also be used to schedule your daily heating.
Use a dehumidifier in your home. Usually, when the air is humid, it feels hotter. Rather than using an energy-hogging air conditioner to cool your home, try using a dehumidifier first. By using the dehumidifier first, you’ll be able to use the air conditioner less often and save on your electric bills.
Homes greatly vary in layout and geographical area. These differences will dictate which green technologies will be best suited for each home. Many are conducive to all homes, but others will be based on specific needs. Seek out the advice that will benefit your household, and then implement those strategies in your home.
Make renewable energy instead of only reducing how much energy you consume from external sources. This will help reduce energy costs and pollution, and you’ll be on your way to becoming energy-independent. You have several practical options to help you take this giant step toward changing the balance from energy consumption to energy production.
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